Shields of Loyalty News

[p]⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][p][/p][h2][/h2][h3]"In strategy, the longest path often leads to the greatest victory."[/h3][p]Today, let’s reflect on why we love turn-based strategy games and dark fantasy so much — and how Shields of Loyalty fits into this legacy.[/p][p][/p][h2] 🔍 A Brief Origin of Strategy Games[/h2][p]
Turn-based strategy games trace their roots to classic tabletop wargames like Tactics (1954) and Kriegsspiel (1824), long before computers brought them to our screens.
Titles like Fire Emblem, X-COM, and Fantasy General later shaped the genre into what we know and love today — deliberate, challenging, and deeply tactical.[/p][p]Shields of Loyalty follows in their footsteps, combining precise positioning, synergising unit types, and calculated risks across epic campaigns. If you're a fan of careful planning and heroic sacrifice — you’re in the right place.[/p][p][/p][h2]🌑 What Makes Dark Fantasy So Appealing? [/h2][p]
Dark Fantasy pushes against the high-fantasy tropes of perfect heroes and clear good vs evil. In its place:
• Morally grey choices
• Tragic heroes
• Corrupt gods, cursed lands, and grim victories[/p][p]Shields of Loyalty embraces this tone fully, drawing inspiration from stories like Berserk, Dark Souls, and The Witcher. Our world of Mantaria is no shining kingdom — it’s broken, twisted, and in need of a last stand.[/p][p][/p][h2]🔁 Tactical Features in Our Game [/h2][p]
• Unit synergy combos (e.g. flying guardians & shield cavalry)
• Combat roles: front-line tanks, flanking scouts, and support casters
• Terrain impact and weather effects (ice storms, lightning, etc.)
• Heavy siege units, stealth skirmishers, and flying units
• Future mechanics: Zone of Control & Attack of Opportunity coming soon![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]🎯 Question for the Community: [/h2][p]
What’s your favourite tactical mechanic in turn-based games?
Or: What made you fall in love with dark fantasy settings?[/p][p]Let’s talk tactics — and get hyped again.

🛡️ Wishlist Shields of Loyalty here
🗺️ Join the discussion on Discord
[/p][p]— The Shields of Loyalty Team

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[p]⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][p][/p][h2]We’re Back — Mantaria Awaits
[/h2][p]The storms may have slowed us, but they never stopped us.[/p][p]Shields of Loyalty is alive and well — and the march toward release has resumed![/p][p][/p][p]We're bringing back: [/p]

• [p]Weekly DevBlogs [/p]
• [p]Final Lore Pieces — Aglovan's journey will continue[/p]
• [p] Sneak peeks of remaining factions and units[/p]
• [p]Final testing & feedback rounds \

[/p][p]What We Need From You:[/p]

• [p]Wishlist the game if you haven’t yet. [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

• [p]Share the store page with your strategy-loving friends [/p]
• [p]Join our https://discord.gg/amTz2Cas Discord community.[/p]
• [p]Leave your thoughts, feedback, or just say hi![/p]

[p][/p][p]We know the delays have been tough — but we’re closer than ever. This is the final climb.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for sticking with us through the mist, the silence, and the setbacks. Mantaria is still calling.[/p][p]
We hope you’ll answer.[/p][p][/p][p]Let’s finish this journey — together.[/p][p]— The Shields of Loyalty Team

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Bug Fixes

• „Barrage“ skill causes no more game freeze
  
• “Bulls Eye” no more hangs up the game
  
• Healing spell of the Monks works as expected now
  
• Shaman buildings “Circle and Tree of Enlightenment” can be chosen as expected
  
• Issues with tier3 spells of “Mother Nature” fixed
  
• Infinite movement of the Unicorns fixed
  
• Reduced the glow of the Pyromaniacs
  
• Tooltips are shown properly now for spells, buffs and nerfs
  
• Improved the cursor and AoE when using spells
  
• The right portraits are shown in the dialogues now
  
• Fixed typo within dialogues
  
• Language changes effects immediately now
  
• Canceled false shadows which were shown underneath a few units
  
• Added missing sound effects
  
• Added the type of a unit within the detail mask and buildings
  
• Improved overall perfomance of the game
  

New Features & Improvemnts

• UI revamp – navigation and spell buttons relocated to the lower left
  
• UI revamp – detailed unit information incl. buff, debuff and spell DOT effects
  
• Avatar selection screen revamp
  
• Worldmap has now animations
  
• Avatar Karnoth has now a size of 4 fields
  
• Fraction skills of the Warlords implemented:
  
  1. Brother in Arms (adjacent heavy infantry units performs an addition attack)
     
  2. If an unit suffers more than 75% casualties, all adjacent units will gain +1 attack
     
• Fraction skills of the Noblemen changed:
  
  1. Shield Wall remains as implemented
     
  2. NEW: Formation (Light cavalry always retreat one hex and heal the wounded when attacked by light or heavy infantry)
     
• Added visible counts for all passive abilities and fraction skills
  
• New currency “Gems” added. They are needed for buying mercenaries
  
• New skins --> Monks instead of Believers
  
• Mercenaries are available now
  
• Warlord faction has now a new crest
  
• New AI Hero units added:
  
  1. Goatking (Heavy Cavalry)
     
  2. Flying Succubus (Sky Hunter)
     
  3. Spiderqueen (Heavy Cavalry)
     
  4. Dark Lord Desmond (Heavy Infantry)
     
  5. The Void (Sky Huner)
     
• New Noblemen Hero units added:
  
  1. Tiberius (Heavy Cavalry)
     
  2. Lord Valerian (Light Cavalry)
     
• Balancing – adjusted defense values for all units. Partly some Attack and other values like Hit Points, Hit Chance and Evasion
  

Map/Level Changes

• First Map of Darwoods has now a new shape including new type of AI units (Cultist and Acolyte)
  
• Slightly changes for the 2nd map of Darkwoods. A new location "Tent" is available for hiring mercenaries
  
• 3rd map for Darwoods has recieved slighty changes of shape and AI units
  

All rewards of all cities and ruins were doubled and gems as the currency for mercenaries added!

QoL improvements

• Fast animations were improved
  
• Force of Nature are much faster and without bothering the flow
  
• Spell animations and effects are shown at the same time
  

Currently we are improving all maps regarding new POI's and loot. We'll update them frequently!

Enjoy all the new content and improvments and let us know how do yu like them.

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Sneak peek into the arcane forces of faith!

Welcome back, Commanders of Mantaria!

As we move closer and closer to the release of Shields of Loyalty, we continue to reveal the powerful units at your command. In this week’s devblog, we unveil the Archmage class of the High Priest faction—a set of unique casters wielding devastating magical abilities in the name of divine order.

[h2]🧙 High Priest Archmages – Tier 1, 2, and 3 Units[/h2]

These powerful sorcerers channel faith into magic, shaping the battlefield with radiant spells, holy wrath, and protective enchantments.

🔹 Tier 1: Sanctifier
A humble priest-turned-warrior, capable of healing nearby allies and weakening enemies through divine presence. Low offence, high utility.

🔮 Tier 2: Oracle of Purity
This unit brings mid-range offensive magic and area control. Expect status afflictions like silence, fear, or even paralysis—delivered with holy might.

🌩️ Tier 3: Archmage of Revelation
The ultimate caster of the High Priest faction. Wielding chain-lightning, mass healing, and holy bombardment spells, this unit changes the tide of battle.
An awe-inspiring presence… and a priority target for any enemy commander.



[h2]🧠 Magic Meets Machinery – What Does It All Mean?[/h2]

With last week’s Siege Engines and the Mercenary Musketeer bringing technology into the fold, and now the holy Archmages joining the battlefield, the strategic depth of Shields of Loyalty continues to grow.

These elements together shape a battlefield where faith, fire, and foresight collide.

Magic isn’t just flashy—it’s a tactical layer. Who you bring and how you use them will make all the difference.

[h2]🗺️ Lore Pieces – Coming Very Soon[/h2]

We’ve heard you—you miss the lore pieces.
We’re happy to announce that the continuation of Aglovan’s journey through the Third Island is almost ready. Expect new chapters very soon!

Let us know:
Do you enjoy reading them? Want them voiced later? Or turned into cutscenes? We’re listening.

[h2]📣 Countdown to Release[/h2]

Everything is moving forward as planned. We're close.
Your support, shares, and wishlists help more than you know. Indie development at this stage is about trust—between developer and player.

Together, we're bringing back a feeling.
Something we remember from Fantasy General, from Heroes of Might and Magic, from the golden age of dark fantasy TBS games.

We want this to live again—and you’re a part of it.

[h2]📜 Last Week’s Devblog & Patch Notes[/h2]

Did you miss Devblog 39?
It showcased the terrifying siege units of the High Priest faction: Blade Engine, Fire Engine, and the divine Cannon of Revelation. Catch up here:
🔗 https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1318240/view/543354486002811431

Also, more patch notes are coming soon, so keep an eye out. Our developer is hard at work and will post updates as they arrive!

[h2]🛒 Wishlist and Follow on Steam![/h2]
👉 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1318240/Shields_of_Loyalty/

The Shields of Loyalty Team



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The High Priest Faction rolls into battle with sacred siege power!
Welcome back, Commanders!

We're thrilled to share another exciting batch of content as we move closer and closer to the official release of Shields of Loyalty. This week, we’re taking a look at the Siege Units of the High Priest faction, revisiting an old mercenary ally, and opening a discussion about the spirit behind our game.

[h2]⚙️ High Priest Siege Engines – Tier 1, 2, and 3 Units[/h2]

These divine machines were forged with holy wrath and engineered precision. Each tier brings you closer to total divine dominance on the battlefield:

🪓 Tier 1: Blade Engine
A sacred mechanical contraption that slashes through defences with spinning blessed blades. Fast, efficient, and terrifying.

🔥 Tier 2: Fire Engine
Fuelled by divine incantations and hellfire, this engine rains burning punishment onto enemy walls and units.

💥 Tier 3: Cannon of Revelation
This is the High Priest's answer to worldly technology—combining holiness and gunpowder to shatter any defence. Walls tremble. So do armies.

[h2]💂 Mercenary Reminder – Musketeer[/h2]

Let’s not forget our old friend, the Mercenary Musketeer.
One of the first gunpowder-based units introduced in the game, this sharpshooter adds a whole new flavour to Mantaria's otherwise medieval tone.

With the addition of these High Priest siege engines, gunpowder is no longer a luxury—it’s part of the future. How will it affect balance? Strategy? Lore? Let us know what you think!



[h2]🧠 Let’s Talk – Why We’re Making This Game[/h2]

We know TBS fans are patient, thoughtful players. But you’ve waited long, and we thank you deeply.

Turn-Based Strategy isn’t just gameplay—it’s a feeling. Planning. Positioning. Tension.
Dark Fantasy adds stakes. Adds grit. Adds mystery.

Games like Fantasy General, X-COM, Heroes of Might and Magic—they meant something. We want Shields of Loyalty to echo those legendary feelings.
That’s why we keep going. That’s why we polish every detail.

And we’re almost there.

Stick with us. Bear the wait a little longer—and witness a rebirth of that heroic dark fantasy TBS spirit.

[h2]📜 Lore Pieces – Aglovan’s Journey Will Continue[/h2]

Yes, it’s coming!
Many of you have asked when the next Lore Pieces will drop—and we’re happy to say: Soon.

We’re preparing the final island's lore entries now. Aglovan’s tale is far from over.
Tell us—do you enjoy this lore format? Would you prefer more detailed or interactive elements in the future?

Let’s shape this story together.

[h2]📢 Final Notes & Community Shoutout[/h2]

Thanks again for your overwhelming support on last week’s devblog.
If you missed it, Devblog 38 introduced the High Priest Bombardier class and a new Mercenary: Dark Soul.

As always, your wishlist, shares, and feedback are what fuel this project.
Our developer will continue posting patch notes as they arrive—stay tuned!

Until next time, Commander.
Stay Loyal.

The Shields of Loyalty Team



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